LaToya Walker
Heartland,TX
Summary
Patient-oriented Nurse with diverse experience in direct patient care. Skilled at multitasking and prioritizing patient needs and daily assignments. Offering expertise with Critical-Care, Hospice, GI, Pre-op and PACU specialty. Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader, who demonstrates proficiency in prioritizing tasks and maintaining composure in high-pressure environments.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
PACU, Pre-op/Gastrointestinal Nurse
Park Cities Surgical Center
05.2023 - Current
- Manage patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Follow all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Explain course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Monitor patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Provide skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Quickly respond to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Equip patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Supports physicians in medical diagnosis by taking vital signs, performing initial assessments and collecting samples for lab analysis.
- Order screening tests and advised patients on preventive care treatments to promote ongoing health of patients.
Hospice Registered Nurse (Per Diem)
VITAS Hospice Care
11.2022 - Current
- Develop and implement individualized care plans for each hospice patient while following physician instructions.
- Recognize and understand specific stages of the dying process, providing comfort-based care during vulnerable times.
- Establish and maintain successful relationships with patients, families and physicians by utilizing exemplary communication and active listening skills.
- Provide high level of quality, compassionate care to patients and caregivers during each nursing shift.
- Teach family members and caregivers various ways to manage patients' pain, how to check for vital signs and proper methods for dressing changes.
- Offer a listening ear to both patients and loved ones to meet emotional and mental, as well as physical needs.
- Administer medications and treatments to provided comfort to patients, while monitoring responses so care plans can be adjusted as needed.
- Deliver high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
Behavioral Health Registered Nurse (Contract)
Perimeter Behavioral Hospital
11.2022 - Current
- Explains course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Educate family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Evaluate patient histories, complaints and current symptoms.
- Administer different therapies and medications in line with physician orders and treatment plan.
- Communicate with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Quickly responds to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Observe and document patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Facilitate therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Conducts ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
ICU Resident/Staff Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Methodist Dallas Medical Center
05.2022 - 11.2022
- Provide emergent medical care and treatment for life-threatening injuries and illnesses on thirty-six bed unit.
- Monitor patients' respiratory status and ventilator operation and make adjustments to promote stabilization.
- Observe patients' vital signs and administer physician-prescribed medications and treatments.
- Deliver age-appropriate medical care for adult, adolescent and geriatric ICU patients.
- Maintain respectful treatment environment that honored patients' and families' cultural and religious traditions and preferences.
- Record patients' medical status and treatment details in electronic charts to accurately document medical care.
- Explain health care issues and ramifications to patients and families to promote informed medical care choices.
- Coordinate patients' post-discharge treatment plans with physicians and other nurses to promote continuity of medical care.
- Create treatment plans balancing medical expertise, patient goals and individual compliance levels.
- Administer specialized treatment for multiple patients daily.
- Evaluate previously prescribed interventions for successes or failures and adjusted strategies.
Non-Invasive Cardiology Technician
Methodist Dallas Medical Center
05.2021 - 06.2022
- Conduct electrocardiogram and stress tests by using electronic test equipment and recording devices.
- Actively listened to customers' requests, confirming full understanding before addressing concerns.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Supports healthcare team by maintaining responsibility for electrocardiogram monitoring.
LVN Floor Nurse
Ridgecrest Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
02.2021 - 07.2021
- Performed functional assessments for admission and discharge.
- Answered incoming phone calls from patients to provide basic assistance and triage medical concerns.
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising physician
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments and assisted with procedures.
- Administered controlled narcotics, inserted IVs and performed catheterizations.
- Assisted with admissions, appointments, transfers and transition of care.
- Educated patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Monitored, tracked and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
Anesthesia Technician
Methodist Hospital
01.2019 - 05.2021
- Assisted anesthesia personnel with insertion and setup of invasive monitoring lines for hemodynamic monitoring (central lines, arterial lines, etc.)
- Maintained and cleaned anesthesia machines by changing soda-lime, refilling vaporizers with anesthetic agents and replacing nitrous, oxygen and air cylinders.
- Performed blood gas analysis, using blood gas analyzing and centrifuge equipment to monitor and determine carbon dioxide, sodium, pH and oxygen saturation in patients.
- Stocked anesthesia supplies in anesthetizing locations, fiber optic carts, and emergency airway bags.
- Assisted anesthesia set-up rooms for assigned surgery cases
- Assisted anesthesia with intubation and extubation of surgery patients
Procedure Discharge Patient Care Technician
Methodist Dallas Medical Center
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Provided same day surgery recovery, cardiac prep/recovery for various cardiac procedure patients.
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Obtained vital signs and reported results to staff nurse or physician, noting changes from prior measurements.
- Answered patient assistance calls, assessed needs and offered qualified support.
- Assisted nursing staff in administering basic patient treatments (e.g. IV placement, bladder scans, pressure dressings, etc.)
Patient Care Technician (Resource)
Methodist Dallas Hospital
05.2016 - 01.2018
- Assisted in keeping patient rooms tidy and sanitized
- Assisted patients with everyday needs (personal hygiene, using the restroom, grooming etc.)
- Monitored vital signs (temperature, pulse etc.)
- Responsible for taking fluid samples or other specimens for testing
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Maximized patient satisfaction by helping individuals carry out personal tasks such as dressing and walking.
- Collected and transported specimens to prepare for lab testing.
- Warmly greeted patients and visitors and made each feel welcome.
Medical Assistant
Kessler Women's Healthcare
02.2013 - 05.2016
- Assisted with routine checks and diagnostic testing by collecting and processing specimens.
- Directed patients to exam rooms, fielded questions and prepared for physician examinations.
- Documented vital signs and health history for patients in clinic and hospital environments.
- Ordered and prepared reagents and supplies.
- Sanitized, restocked and organized exam rooms and medical equipment.
- Called and faxed pharmacies to submit prescriptions and refills.
- Taught patients about medications, procedures and care plan instructions.
- Arranged surgeries with surgical center, confirming times with patients and preparing admission and consent forms.
Medical Assistant
West Plano Family Medicine
06.2011 - 02.2013
- Scheduled appointments, verified insurance and navigated efficiently through the eClinicalWorks EMR system
- Assisted a diverse group of patients, answering different questions and concerns
- Completed referrals for medical screenings and insurance pre-certification for patients
- Assisted in the scheduling of MRI's, CT's, Mammograms, Stress Test and various X-rays
- Transmitted all authorized medication refills on a daily basis to local and mail order pharmacies using electronic software
- Helped physicians examine and treat patients by assisting with instruments, injections and suture removal
- Utilized strong assessment skills to determine necessary patient care
Education
Associate's Degree - Nursing
Trinity Valley Community College
Terrell, TX05.2022
High School Diploma -
Monterey High School
Lubbock, TX05.1998
Skills
- Emergency Response
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Cultural Awareness
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Self-Motivated
- Multitasking Abilities
- Activities of Daily Living ADL Assistance
- EKG
- Venipuncture
- Adaptability
- Intravenous Therapy
- Continuing Education
- Pain Management
- Discharge Planning
- Endoscopy Procedures
- Team Collaboration
- Patient Assessment
- Clinical Judgment
- Compassionate Care
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Time Management
Certification
Registered Nurse
June 2022
PALS
July 20223 to July 2025
BLS for Healthcare Providers
January 2024 to January 2026
Venipuncture
June 2020 to Present
Crisis Prevention Training
November 2022
Timeline
PACU, Pre-op/Gastrointestinal Nurse
Park Cities Surgical Center
05.2023 - Current
Hospice Registered Nurse (Per Diem)
VITAS Hospice Care
11.2022 - Current
Behavioral Health Registered Nurse (Contract)
Perimeter Behavioral Hospital
11.2022 - Current
ICU Resident/Staff Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Methodist Dallas Medical Center
05.2022 - 11.2022
Non-Invasive Cardiology Technician
Methodist Dallas Medical Center
05.2021 - 06.2022
LVN Floor Nurse
Ridgecrest Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
02.2021 - 07.2021
Anesthesia Technician
Methodist Hospital
01.2019 - 05.2021
Procedure Discharge Patient Care Technician
Methodist Dallas Medical Center
01.2018 - 01.2019
Patient Care Technician (Resource)
Methodist Dallas Hospital
05.2016 - 01.2018
Medical Assistant
Kessler Women's Healthcare
02.2013 - 05.2016
Medical Assistant
West Plano Family Medicine
06.2011 - 02.2013
Associate's Degree - Nursing
Trinity Valley Community College
High School Diploma -
Monterey High School
Registered Nurse
June 2022
PALS
July 20223 to July 2025
BLS for Healthcare Providers
January 2024 to January 2026
Venipuncture
June 2020 to Present
Crisis Prevention Training
November 2022
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